Further Instructions Concerning the Collection (9:1–5)
1 For now indeed it is unnecessary for me to write to you concerning this ministering to the saints 2 since I know your willingness concerning which I boast about you to the Macedonians—that Achaia has been ready since last year—and your zeal has roused most of them to action. 3 Nevertheless, I am sending these brothers so that our boasting about you would not prove empty in this matter so that you would be ready, just as I kept telling them, 4 so that even if some Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you) would not be humiliated in this undertaking. 5 Consequently, I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and prepare in advance the generous gift that you had previously promised so that this would be ready as a generous gift and not as one given grudgingly.
On Sowing Generously (9:6–15)
6 Now the point is this: one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and one who sows bounteously will also reap bounteously. 7 Each person should give as much as he has decided in his heart, neither reluctantly nor out of compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 God can provide you with every grace in abundance so that you will always have enough of everything and ample means for every good work. 9 As it is written, “He distributed; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever” [Ps. 112:9; LXX Ps. 111:9]. 10 Now he who provides seed to the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You are enriched in every way, resulting in generosity of every kind that through us produces gratitude to God 12 because the performance of this service is not only fully providing for the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of gratitude to God. 13 Because of having experienced this service, they will glorify God for your obedience to the covenant you made in accepting the gospel of Christ and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And by their prayers for you they yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God that rests upon you. 15 Thank God for his indescribable gift!
